Champions League preview: Atlético vs. Barcelona

Semi-final place up for grabs in clash between Spain's top two

Four times this season, current La Liga leaders Atlético Madrid have taken on reigning champions and title chasers Barcelona, and four times, nothing has separated them.

The Rojiblancos‘ backline has cancelled out the Catalan’s attacking talent on each occasion they have met so far, although in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg, something has to give.

Kick-off in the Spanish capital is set for 20:45 CET.

Along with Real Madrid, the two have been at loggerheads all season domestically, but a week ago Barca and Atleti turned their attentions to the European stage where they met in an entralling tactical clash, lit up by a couple of stunning goals from Diego Ribas and Neymar.

With an away goal to their name, Diego Simeone’s team have something to hold onto when run out in front of what will be a raucous home crowd in the Vicente Calderón tomorrow night, although may have to do so without key players.

Diego Costa, doubtful beforehand, limped off in the first half of last week’s first leg and remains unlikely to play having yet to remain to full training, and Arda Turan has also been ruled out with a groin problem.

Apart from that, there are no other injury concerns as Javi Manquillo returns to the squad for the first time in two months, although as seen in Saturday’s 1-0 win against Villarreal, fatigue could be a factor.

In his press conference, Simeone insisted that he would not risk anybody who wasn’t ‘at least 90% fit’, and confirmed that Raúl García and, interestingly, Adrián would come into the team that drew at the Camp Nou a week ago if needed.

“If Diego Costa is fit, he plays. If he is a little less than 100 percent, he will be on the bench. Otherwise he’ll be out,” he said. “If Adrián plays I am sure he will do very well for the team.”

“We have rotated some players in the last few matches which is important to keep the team fresh, this will be a passionate game between two teams with different styles.”

The Argentine also gave a brief insight into what his game plan may be, dismissing ideas that his team will sit back and defend given the visitors’ goalscoring prowess.

“Even if we have a small advantage from the first leg it will not change anything,” he told reporters. “Barça will play the same as always, they are specialists in scoring goals. Not long ago they scored four times in a place not far from here.”

“The battle of styles is great for football; one with possession, talent and what they have done over last decade, us with our heart, our humility, our counter-attack.”

“It will be one of the nicest games for sure, in the competition so far.” he concluded

Similarly to the red and whites, Barça laboured to a home win at the weekend, needing two penalties and an own goal to beat bottom side Real Betis.

Manager Tata Martino opted against significant rotation due to the ongoing league battle with his opposite number and compatriot, with his team having been rocked by an 18-month transfer ban sanctioned against them last week.

The Culés have fitness troubles of their own as well, with defender Gerard Piqué definitely out of contention. Like Costa, the 27 year-old was forced off in the opener, but unlike his new international teammate has been categorically ruled out.

Victor Valdés is on the long-term absentee list meaning José Pinto will again line up in goal, and captain Carles Puyol is also a doubt having yet to receive the medical clearance to play, despite still making the trip.

It’s not since 2007 that Barça last failed to reach the tournament semi-finals, although Martino knows his side will need a big performance if that run is to continue.

“We haven’t been leading at any point [against Atlético] and that’s very important,” he said. “We need to score at least one goal tomorrow and let’s see if we can create the scenario of us leading and try to manage from there on.”

“I really think that we have to go and keep our intensity up for the full 90 minutes. We know if we go a goal up we can play a different game to the ones we have seen in the previous cases.”

Whoever goes through will most likely also gain a psychological advantage heading into the final stretch of the La Liga season, although will have two more huge midweek matches to contend with. Both teams have opted to call-up all available first team players.

Howard Webb! oh no. that does not sound good.
But to be completely honest, i wouldn’t be too upset if we get knocked out. That would mean we can concentrate on winning the La Liga. This is gonna be our season! Aupa Atleti!

Pantic#10

I’m so thrilled!!
This is going to be the best match of Champions League so far.
Clash of the Titans.
Aupa Atleti!

‘Gabi said, glancing around. He began his career in the club’s youth system and has said before: “When I was a kid I didn’t say I wanted to be a footballer when I grew up; I said I wanted to be a footballer for Atlético Madrid.”‘

What a great guy.

Ali

Let’s do this guys! Their defense is a wreck without pique and valdes!

Ahmad Hossainy

While many are thinking about wining the Champions League, or even make it a double by wining La Liga too, I’m thinking of the 4.9 million that we will earn if we knocked Barca out and reached the semis
I’m thinking that these extra 4.9 million could help us to keep Costa for at least one more season
I will stick to “partido a partido” until the very last game of the season

Chewie, this is just another reason to love Gabi,
we need more players like him, loyal players who choose love over money, but I can’t say over trophies, because the trophies came, and they will keep coming, with faith, hard work and sacrifices
Those who stayed at Atleti have won more or at least the same number of trophies as those who left

I wish Simeone prove me wrong, I wish I look stupid and Adrian makes a hell of a game if he started tonight !!

I had a dream that Atleti & Man Utd will face each other in the semifinals, and usually, my dreams come true
but sometimes, they come very wrong .. please don’t hate me if that happened !

Urban

I had a dream that today we had a glorious chance in the first 5 min and we wasted it, and then barca managed to score and the match ended 0-1…

Ahmad Hossainy

That wasn’t a dream Urban .. it was a nightmare !

Dircil

@Urban: Tonight I will have a dream and when I wake up, I see Atletico winning!

AaX

Whatever the Outcome Tonight is Atletico would willfully be the Victorious side at the End!

piserakos

Vamos Atleti Vamos!!!!!!

Habib Mukadaffi

People think it’s 11 vs 11 and that the best party will win, that’s wrong…. The score and wich team continues is already a fact. With pain in my heart, i must say That Barca will continue 100%

@HABIB yes we are the underdogs and there’s a big chance that Barcelona will defeat us. But when there’s a chance, there’s a hope, and we will support our boys till the end. All the Atletico world is super-excited, the main thing is to net let this desire to win become a problem.

Brad

At least our midfield and back line look solid.

Brad

*looks

Brad

or look…can’t make up my mind apparently…

Jelle

Agree with you Brad. It’s gonna be a thriller!!

Brad

I’ve got the SkySports broadcast streaming and I hear “Adrián, he’s so unlucky”. Damn right he is.

Brad

Also, I wish the feed would stop cutting out…i missed the goal, only knew we scored once Seven Nation Army came up

Jelle

Wonderfull start. Two on the post and one goal. Come on one more Atletico

palestine-atletico

What a game so far from adriaaaaaaaaaaaàaaaaan 😀

Brad

The post is a better keeper than Pinto

Jelle

I see the old Adrian tonight.

Will

I hate my job and my timezone.. I can’t watch the match due to work!!! 🙁

We played so good! Our defense is outstanding. I’m gonna buy a new shirt with Gabi – what a player ! Atletiiiii !! A deserved win

Ash

Guys, that Asian girl you saw on TV was one of our proud Atletico fans in China. Her name is Roxi. She currently stay in Spain. A devoted fan she is!

Ash

As for me, I cried when the final whistle blew. I just couldn’t help it. And all I wanna say, besides words of praise to our warriors and our fantastic crowd, was that Cholo, I WISH YOU STAY WITH US FOREVER AND EVER!!!

jeronamo

Fucking Excellent

Ratchet

YYYYEEESSSS!!! Man, I’m so proud of Atletico, we are standing tall, even standing above the rest, and we do it with hard work, blood, sweat, tears and pure passion, it’s wonderful to see.

Burak

Football isnt womans game football is mens game… And atleti show how can be a man how fight like a man to barca ‘s shit woman.. Nobody cannot stop atleti’s lions they will be champion …

Chewie

All the players were in tune, everyone doing excellent job. Barca had chances but we had three times more. We outplayed them completely, cancelling their individual talent by our solid, grinding team play. There were moments when I thought – my god, that’s what I call pressing!

Surprisingly, Adrian was astonishing! If he’d scored, I would agree to keep him for another season. The guy is just wasting his immense talent. Man, find yourself a sports psychologist – if even Cholo can’t help you, then you got real problems. Same applies to Cebolla, except the wasted talent part. He has a 100% chance and blew it.

Oh, and I can’t praise are full-backs enough. And Gabi! When Villa was totally drained out, barely able to walk, our wonder-skipper – along with the magnificent Koke – showed no signs of fatigue. How on earth do these players do that? After playing such an intense match!